Means for the flowing of wells



Oct. 4, 1938. J. 0. NIXON MEANS FOR THE FLOWING OF WELLS Original FiledMay 4. 1936 B Sheets-Sheet l v I In; 1 i Wigwa i-E m 3 m l JIM-E Well A1 N VENT OR. Nxxon ATTORN Oct. 4, 1938. J. D. NlXON 2,132,081

MEANS FOR THE FLOWING 0F WELLS Original Filed May 4, 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet2 Fig.24

I E a l w. F

I r l i J E E r L |t i.. a? i i Fig. 2

INVENTOR.

Jeddy D. Nixon Oct. 4, 1938. J. o. NIXON MEANS FOR THE FLOWING OF WELLSOriginal Filed May 4, 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEY.

Oct. 4, 1938. J xo MEANS FOR THE FLOWING OF WELLS Original Filed May 4.1936 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENT OR. Jeddy D. Nixon 7 m W l|| I I I O O 0 wm w 1 E l M r E E w m w. m w w v A E m a w w H m N N A E 0 v n l v w m mR m 6 A A T U N V R D H S S M D M U 1 9 2 93 R 4w 5 L o 7 5 F /N /M /m H4/ OlL SAND ATTORNEY.

Oct. 4, 1938.

J. D. NIXON MEANS FOR THE FLOWING OF WELLS Original Filed May 4, 1936 8Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEY.

Oct. 4, 1938. xo 2,132,681

MEANS FOR THE FLOWING OF WELLS Original Filed May 4. 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet6 INVENTOR.

' Jeddy D. Nixon ATTORNEY.

MEANS FOR THE FLOWING OF WELLS F as Original Filed May 4, 1936 BSheets-Sheet '7 I III 2 so 5 s2 Fig. 21

INVENTOR. O Jeddy D. Nixon Fig. 19

Oct. 4, 1938. J. D. NIXON 2,132,081

MEANS FOR THE FLOWING 0F WELLS Original Filed May 4, 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet8 INVENTOR. daddy D. Nixon ATTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 4, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,132,081 MEANS FORTHE FLOWING F WELLS Jeddy D. Nixon, Houston,

Tex., assignor of onehalf to Wilson Supply Company, Houston, Tex.,

a corporation of Texas 20 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in methods of andmeans for the flowing of wells.

One object of the invention is to provide improved means for utilizingand controlling gas,

air, or other pressure fluid for flowing a well, which may be suppliedby the well or from an outside source.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means for flowinga well which utilizes the gas therefrom to lift the liquid from thewell, whereby the liquid is raised expeditiously and economically.

An important object of the invention is to provide means for conservingthe gas from a well or wells, so that said gas may be used in a systemand recirculated or rotated, whereby an all-enclosed system is providedfor said gas.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved method offlowing wells which consists in, packing off the well tubing to preventupward flow through the well casing, introducing fluid under pressureinto the tubing successively at various points below the standing liquidlevel therein, introducing said fluid into the tubing at a single pointbelow the above introduction points, and controlling from the surface ofthe well the flow of well fluid through the tubing at a point below thesingle point of introduction of the pressure fluid.

Still another object of the invention is to provide means forintroducing gas or air under pressure into a well tubing at a singlepoint below the standing liquid level therein, whereby the liquid islifted only the distance from the point where the natural flow stops tothe surface, thereby requiring less auxiliary pressure than is necessaryto raise the liquid column the full length of the tubing, as is theusual practice; thus resulting in a great saving in operating costs, aswell as making for more eflicient operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved method offlowing wells which con sists in, packing oif the well tubing to preventupward flow through the well casing, introducing fluid under pressureinto the tubing at a single point below the standing liquid leveltherein, and controlling from the surface of the well the flow of wellfluid through the tubing at a point below the point of introduction ofthe pressure fluid.

Still another object of the invention is to provide means forintroducing fluid under pressure to the casing of a well below thestanding level of liquid in said casing, and means located below saidpressure fluid inlet for controlling the flow the space between RUSSUEDof liquid through the tubing of said well, said means being operablefrom the surface of the well, whereby the natural flow through saidtubing may be cut off at any desired time to permit an increased fluidpressure to build up within said casing.

A particular object of the invention is to provide an improved flowcontrol unit including means for introducing gas under pressure into thewell tubing below the liquid level therein, together with means forretaining the gas pressure within the well when the gas supply is cutoff and production ceases, whereby the retained pressure willimmediately flow the well when the gas is again supplied upon the nextoperation of the invention, which eliminates the necessity of buildingup the pressure prior to each operation of the unit.-

Another object of the invention is to provide means operable from thesurface of the well for admitting a gas pressure from the casing to thetubing, whereby the liquid may be raised in the tubing and expelledtherefrom.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an intermittentflowing control means for admitting a gas pressure in the casing intothe tubing, said means being opened by the pressure of the liquid columnin said tubing above said means and closed by the gas pressure in saidcasing passing through said means, whereby the liquid is intermittentlylifted out of said tubing, as it is produced.

A further object of the invention is to provide hoisting means operableby the gas pressure for actuating some of the various controls of thewell, said means being so constructed that the exhaust therefrom isdischarged into the flow line of the well, whereby the gas is returnedto the system and recirculated.

Another object of the invention is to provide packing means attached tothe tubing and inserted into the casing of a well so as to pack off thetubing and the casing, whereby upward and downward flow therebetween isprevented.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved methodof flowing wells which conserves the gas expelled from the separator andthe, same being repressured for lifting the fluid in the well. Thesurplus gas is led 01! to another system, or to storage facilities.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter:described, together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of thefollowing specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings,in which an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Figure l is a diagrammatic plan view of a typical installationconstructed in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged view, partly in section and partly in elevation,of the upper portion of the well unit;

Figures 3, 4 and 5 are views, partly in elevation and partly in section,showing successive portions of the equipment extending down into thewell;

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view of the entire well unit positioned in awell casing;

Figure 7 is an enlarged, transverse vertical sectional view of one formof aerating valve;

Figure 8 is a horizontal cross-sectional view, taken on the line 8-8 ofFigure 7;

Figure 9 is an enlarged, transverse vertical sectional view of theliquid valve which is disposed in the tubing;

Figure 10 is a horizontal cross-sectional view, taken on the line llliilof Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a horizontal cross-sectional view, taken on the line ll-Hof Figure 9;

Figure 12 is a horizontal cross-sectional view, taken on the line I2- l2of Figure 9;

Figure 13 is a horizontal cross-sectional view, taken on the line l3-l3of Figure 9;

Iigure 14 is an enlarged, transverse vertical view of one of thestarting valves;

Figure 15 is a horizontal cross-sectional view, taken on the line lS-ISof Figure 14;

Figure 16 is an elevation of a retainer plug for the port of thestarting valve;

Figure 17 is a transverse vertical sectional view, taken on the line"-41 of Figure 16;

Figure 18 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view of anotherform of the aerating valve;

Figure 19 is an enlarged detail view of the packer, partly in sectionand partly in elevation;

Figure 20 is a similar view of the lower portion of the packer:

Figure 21 is a plan view of the hoist;

Figure 22 is an enlarged detail view of another form of aerating valve,partly in section and partly in elevation;

Figure 23 is a similar view of its lower portion of the same; and IFigure 24 is a detail view showing packer ready to be lowered into thecasing.

In the drawings, the numeral i0 designates the derrick floor of a well Aand II the derrick floor of a well B. The wells A and B are connected toa horizontally extending manifold l8 (Figure 1) in the usual manner bypipes I4 and IS. The manifold is connected to a suitable separator l2,which is connected by pipes It to the usual stock tanks l3 (only onebeing shown in the drawings, Figure 1).

The regular gas outlet pipe I! of the separator is. connected to a T l8,one outlet of which is connected to a suitable regulator I! by a pipe20. This regulator is set to hold a designated back pressure on theseparator, in order to facilitate the operation thereof. Anotherregulator 32, similar to the regulator I9, is connected thereto by a T38 and a field line 34 extending from the T 33, may lead to anotherinstallation, storage facilities, or for any desired use. The outlet ofthe regulator 32 may be connected, as desired, to a suitable standpipe,torch or the like. The reg-- ulator 32 is provided for holding a desiredpressure in the field line 3|. It is pointed out that it is notessential to the invention that the inlet of the regulator 32 beconnected to a field line as shown, because it may be connected to atorch or the like.

The T I8 is also connected to one end of a horizontally extendingscrubber 2| by a pipe 22. A suitable compressor 24 has a low compressioncylinder 23, which is connected to the opposite end of the scrubber 2|by a pipe 25, and also a high compression cylinder 26. The cylinders areso designed that the low compression cylinder 23 may receive the fluidfrom the separator at the same pressure as the back pressure, which isheld on the separator by the regulator i9, (usually 40 pounds). On theusual type of compressor, the low compression cylinder will only handlethe fluid at atmospheric pressure and this means that the pressure ofthe fluid would first have to be reduced to atmospheric pressure andthen drawn into said cylinder and compressed. Thus, the higher pressuredrawn into cylinder 23 of the compressor 24 will not require as muchenergy to be compressed to the desired pressure as atmospheric pressure.The outlet of the high compression cylinder 26 is connected to alaterally extending manifold 21 by pipe 28 and the pipes and 28 areprovided with hand valves 29, so that the compressor 24 may bedisconnected or removed for repairs or replacements. The manifold 21 isconnected to well A by pipes 30 and to well B by pipes 3|.

As the hook-up for each well is somewhat similar, a description of onewill sumce for both. The regular well casing (Figures 2 to 6 has thewell tubing string 36 depending therethrough. The upper end of thecasing is screwed into the .usual casing head 31 (Figure 2) mountedabove the ground level and the upper end of the tubing is supportedwithin the casing head in the usual manner. The regular swage nipple38'extends upwardly from the casing head and connects with the lower endof a T connection 39. A horizontal pipe "I for carrying the liquid fromthe tubing has one end screwed into the T 39, and the other end isconnected to the pipe It (Figure 1). A suitable, manually operated gatevalve 4| is connected in the pipe 40, whereby the flow through said pipemay be closed. It is obvious that fluid flowing upwardly through thetubing 36 will flow through the nipple 38, T 39 and pipe to, and throughthe pipe II. A suitable pressure gauge 42 is connected in the pipebetween the T and the gate valve, (Figure 2). If desired, a

check valve 43 (Figure 1) may be inserted in the pipe 40 between thevalve ll and the pipe It.

The tubing string extends practically the full length of the casing 35and its lower end may depend to within a short distance of the bottom ofthe wellor it may be spaced at some distance therefrom (Figures 5 and6). The lower end of said tubing is provided with the usual screen orperforated bull plug 44. A suitable flow packer 45 (Figures 4, 6, 19 and24) is connected in the tubing string near the lower end thereof andwhen set, this packer engages the inner wall of the casing 35 to preventupward and downward flow through the space between said casing and thetubing, whereby the fluid from the bottom of the hole is caused to flowupwardly through said tubing. Although any suitable packer may be used,it is preferable to employ the packer disclosed in the drawings.

This packer, clearly shown in Figures 4, 6, 19

and 24, includes an upright, tubular mandrel 4B,

provided at each end with screw threads, whereby it may be readilyconnected in the tubing string. The upper portion of the mandrel isreduced and carries a double, integral thimble 41, having lips extendingupwardly and downwardly, and oppositely flared, elastic packing collarsII and 45 have their inner edges secured in the thimble, whereby theirouter ends or lips are left free to contact and pack ofl the spacebetween the casing and the tubing. The lower portion of the mandrel isprovided with coarse, left-handed screw threads 50, and a collar 5i isthreaded thereon. The collar has a vertically extending sleeve 52rotatabiy confined on its outer periphery.

In introducing the packer 45 into the well, the collar 5| and sleeve 52are screwed upwardly on the mandrel 45. The packing collar 48 isgathered inwardly (Figure 24) within the sleeve and it is obvious thatduring the lowering operation, said sleeve will prevent the packingcollar from engaging the wall of the casing 55. When it is desired toset the packer, which is usually at the producing level of the well, thefriction gripping springs 53 engaging the casing hold the collar 5|stationary. The tubing 55 and mandrel 45 are rotated in a clockwisedirection (Figure 13) and, since the threads 50 on the mandrel arelefthanded, while all the other tubing connections are right-handed, itis obvious that the collar 5i and sleeve 52 will travel downwardly onthe mandrel. This lowering of the sleeve 52 releases the packing collar49, so as to permit the same to expand outwardly and to engage thecasing 35. With the packer in this position, it is obvious that upwardand/or downward flow through the casing is positively prevented. Due tothe flare oi the packing collars l8 and 49, it is pointed out that thepressure fluid above the collar 58 will be prevented from passing belowsaid packer; while the pressure fluid below the collar 49 is preventedfrom flowing upward between the tubing and the casing.

Above the packer 45, a fluid control valve 54 (Figures 3, 4, 6 and 9) ismounted in the tubing string and this valve controls the flow of thefluid through the tubing. The valve includes a nipple 55, having itsupper and lower ends screw threaded, to screw into coupling sleeves 35'of the tubing string, whereby said sleeves connect said nipple with thetubing. The nipple is provided with a tapered bore 55 which is reducedtoward its lower end. A reduced collar 5'! surrounds the lower end ofthe bore and depends axially from the nipple. The reduced collar 51 hasa depending skirt 51 and both the skirt and the collar are externallyscrew threaded to receive the upper end of the valve cage 58.Immediately below the upper screw threads of the cage 58 an internalshoulder 58 is provided and, by observing Figure 9, it will be seen thata valve seat 60 is clamped within the upper end of said cage between theshoulder 59 and the lower end of the skirt 51'.

A valve ball 6| is conflned within the cage 55 and is held in constantengagement with the seat 50 by a coil spring 52, which is located withinthe cage between the lower end thereof and the underside of the ball. Anaxially extending bolt 53 is threaded through the lower end of the cageand extends a short distance upwardly through the spring, serving as aguide therefor, and as a stop for the downward movement of the ball 5|.From the above it will be seen that normally the spring 52 holds thevalve ball closed to prevent upward flow of the well fluid through thetubing. It is pointed out that the fluid valve may be located at anyspecified distance below the normally extending liquid level of thewell, as shown in Figure 6.

For opening the valve by unseating the ball 5|, an elongated,cylindrical weight 54 is movable vertically within the tubing above saidball. The weight is provided with a depending plunger 55 having a head55 on its lower end. when the weight is lowered, the head 55 of theplunger 55 engages the ball and forces it downwardly under tension oithe spring 52, thereby unseating said ball and opening the lower end ofthe tubing to permit upward flow of fluid therethrough. The weight issuspended from the lower end a cable or wire line 61, which extendsupwardly through the tubing 55 and through the casing head 31 at thesurface of the well. A vertically extending stufling-box support 58 ismounted on the upper end of the T 39, and has the usual stufling-box 59at its upper end. The cable 61 extends through said support andstuiling-box and to a suitable drum or hoist. The stufllng-box cap ornut 10 has an upright, marginal flange II on its upper end, which formsan oil chamber or reservoir, so that said wire line or cable 61 passingtherethrough will be coated with a him of oil which prevents excessivewear on the stufling-box 59 and stuffing-box support 58, as well as thecable.

At a point above the fluid control valve 54, an elongated sleeve oraerating valve 12 (Figures 3, 6 and '7) is connected in the tubing. Thisvalve is made in two .sections, 15 and II, which are welded together at15. The lower section 14 has an upstanding oil-set collar 15, whichextends within the interior 0! the upper sections 13. The upper portionof the collar 15 is externally reduced so as to provide an annular space11 between this upper portion and the inner wall of the upper sectionIS. The lower portion of the upper section 15 of said valve is providedwith-a plurality of preferably small radial ports 18 which extendtherethrough. These ports are in horizontal alignment with the reducedupper end of the collar 16, whereby a communication is establishedbetween the interior 0! the casing and the interior of the tubingthrough the ports 18 and annular space 11. Thus, when gas, air, or otherpressure, is introduced into the upper end 01' the casing, this gas willpass from the casing into the tubing, thereby forcing any fluid in saidtubing above the valve II to the surface. It is pointed out that valvel2 admits only a small quantity of pressure fluid into the tubing, sothat said pressure fluid is not wasted.

Above the aerating valve I2, an elongated collar forming a valve 19(Figures 6 and 14) is connected to the tubing string. An internal,annular chamber 50 is formed in the valve and has a number of inwardlydirected, guide ribs extending thereinto and also, an inwardly directedboss 82. A radial port ill extends through the boss and the wall of thevalve, and provides communication between the casing and the tubing whenthe port is open, so that pressure fluid may enter the tubing irom thecasing, whereby any oil in the tubing above the port 83 is raised andcarried out of said tubing. The port is provided at its inner end with aseat, and a valve ball 54 engages said seat for closing the port. Theouter end or said port is internally screw threaded, so as to receive aperforated retaining ring 85. Thus, it will be seen that a cage isformed for said ball BI and it will be noticed in Figures 14 and 15,that when the weight 54 passes through said valve, the guide ribs 5|will force said weight into contact with the concaved inneri'ace of theboss 82, whereby said weight will engage the ball 84 and force the samefrom its seat. In this position, liquid and pressure fluid will flowinto the tubing until the port is closed. When the weight has passedthrough the collar 19, the suction of the pressure fluid flowing throughthe open port will draw the ball onto its seat and thus close the port.

In Figure 6 a typical installation is shown in which three startingvalves 19 are mounted in the tubing string 38. However, it is pointedout that the number of starting valves used depends on each individualinstallation and may be as many as necessary. The spacing of thestarting valves 19, the aerating valve 12, the fluid valve 54 and thepacker 45 all depend on each individual installation and variesaccordingly. It will be seen that the invention is very flexible and canbe adjusted to suit any condition encountered in which the invention isto be installed. The various elements to be taken into considerationinclude the size of the tubing being used; the size of the casing in thewell; the liquid level in the well, that is, the level at which theliquid normally stands in the casing; the bottom hole pressure, thepressure of the gas in the oil sand at the bottom of the well; and theamount of oil that is desired to be removed from the well each day.

For introducing gas, air, or other pressure fluid into the casing 35, asupply line 86 (Figure 2) has one end connected to the pipe 39(Figure 1) for receiving the compressed pressure fluid from thecompressor 24 and its other end connected in one side of the casing-head31. A suitable pressure regulator 81 is preferably connected in thisline and a manually operated control valve (not shown) similar to thecontrol valve It may be connected in this line, if desired. A suitablepressure gauge 88 is connected in the opposite side of the casing-headfrom the supply line 86 (Figure 2). It is obvious that compressed gas orair supplied to the line 86 will be directed into the casing 35 of thewell and to be utilized to raise the liquid from the well. The regulator81 'maintains the required operating pressure in the casing and preventsany fluctuation in the pressure maintained in said casing and also saidpressure being increased.

The wire line or cable 51 may be operated by any suitable means. A smallauxiliary hoist 89 has been provided, which is operated from thepressure fluid in the pipe 30 and is connected to said pipe by theintake pipe 9|) in which is provided a manually operated control valve8|. The pipe 98 leads to the intakes of a fluid actuated turbine 82,which has its exhaust 93 connected into the return or flow line 40. Itis pointed out that the gas is circulated and conserved so as to be usedrepeatedly. The turbine drives a drum 94 through a suitable gear train95 or other speed reducing means, and the cable 61 is wound on saiddrum. A slidable rod 96 is connected to a Sliding clutch arrangement 81,which will move the pinion 98 into and out of engagementwith the gear 99on the drum 94. A suitable braking pitman I having a brake band Illattached thereto, works on the drum so as to form an effective braketherefor.

In operation, the fluid level of the well is ascertained and theapparatus installed in the tubing string 35 (Figure 6), in accordancewith the conditions found in the installation under discussion. The bullplug 44 or a screen of the desired length is screwed into the lower endof the guide collar "12 (Figure of packer 45. The collar 51 and sleeve52 (Figure 24) are screwed upwardly on the mandrel 4B and the lowerpacking collar 49 is gathered inwardly Within said sleeve, so that thelips of the packing collar will not engage the wall of the casing whenthe same is lowered into the well. The tubing 36 is connected with thetop of the packer (Figure 19); and the fluid control valve 54, theaerating valve 12 and the starting valves 19 (Figures 3, 4, 6, 7 and 9)are each connected in the tubing as hereinbefore described, the numberof starting valves being controlled by the well requirements.

The assembly is lowered into the well, until the packer is at the depthat which it is desired to set the same, preferably at the producinglevel 01 the well. The tubing string 36 and mandrel 46 are rotated in aclockwise direction (Figure 13) and due to the left-hand threads on themandrel (Figures 4, l9 and 24) and the friction guides 53 engaging thecasing, the collar 5! and sleeve 52 will travel downwardly on themandrel, whereby the packing collar 49 is released from within thesleeve 52 and expands outwardly to engage the wall of the casing 35. Theupper packing collar 48 being already in contact with said casing wall(Figures 4 and 24), it is obvious that an upward or downward flowthrough the casing is prevented. As will be seen in Figure 6, the packeris set at some distance below the standing liquid level of the well.

The weight 64 suspended from the cable 81 is inserted within the tubing,the stumng-box support 68, stalling-box packing B9 and cap 1|) aremounted on the T connection 39 and the marginal flange 1| filled withoil. The gas or fluid pressure is then introduced into the casing 35 andthe weight 64 is lowered down into the No. 1 starting valve 19, (Figure6). As the gas pressure is built up in the casing 35, the pressure willbe exerted upon the fluid level, so that the same is lowered by reasonof the fluid being forced into the tubing 36 through the port 83 of thevalve 19. As the pressure continues building up, the fluid level in thecasing is lowered until the fluid level is below the port 83, at whichtime the gas will enter said port and lift the fluid in the tubing upand out thereof. Thus, the operator knows that the fluid level is belowthe port and then the weight 64 is lowered out of the No. 1 startingvalve 19. The pressure of the gas passing through the port 83 will drawthe valve ball 04 into its seat and thus close the port.

The lowering of the weight is continued until the No.2 starting valve 19is opened and the same operation is repeated until this valve is kickedoil, that is, the fluid in the casing being forced into the tubing andbeing raised and expelled. The No. 3 starting valve 19 is "kicked oil"in the same manner, and the weight is lowered to a position below saidNo. 3 starting valve but above the aerating valve. As the ports in theaerating valve 12 (Figure 7) are always open, it does not require theweight 64 to open them or to kick 011'". However, this valve kicks off"in the same manner as the other valves and as soon as it does startflowing, the weight is lowered until the head 66 on the lower end of theplunger 85, which depends from the bottom of the weight, engages theball SI of the fluid valve 54 (Figure 9) The fluid below the packer 45from the oil sand is now free to enter the perforations of the bull plug44 and to flow upwardly through the fluid valve 54 into the tubing. Asthe bottom hole pressure of the well is sufl'icient to carry the fluidup to the standing fluid level, it will be seen that the fluid will becarried up past the aerating valve I2. The gas pressure entering saidaerating valve from the casing will aerate the oil and lift the same upand out of the tubing 36.

If it is desired a any time to shut down the well or stop it fromoperating, the weight 64 is lifted and the spring 62 will elevate thevalve ball 6|. so as to close the fluid valve 54. As soon as all of thefluid has been expelled from the tubing, the gate valve 4| is closed andif a gate valve is provided in the gas pressure supply line 86, it maybe closed. However, it is not necessary, as the regulator 01 will permitonly a certain designated pressure to be built up in the casing 35. Itis true that the pressure in the tubing and the casing will remain thesame as long as the valve M is closed. The assembly may be inoperativefor any length of time desired, because it is not possible for the gaspressure to escape, and therefore, a constant built-up pressure ismaintained in the casing and the tubing. However, when it is desired toagain operate the well, the valve 4i is opened and the weight 64 islowered so as to open the fluid control valve 54. The bottom holepressure will again lift the fluid above the aerating valve, and the gasnow entering the aerating port will lift said fluid up and out of thetubing and the well is now producing as before.

It is preferable to locate the entire assembly of starting valves,aerating valves, fluid valve and packer below the standing liquid levelof the well. In Figure 6, I have illustrated the various elements of theassembly as mounted at certain distances, and it is to be understoodthat these figures are merely for the purposes of illustration and theinvention is not to be limited to them. It is pointed out that when theapparatus is used in different wells, different conditions are presentand naturally the apparatus will have to be modified to fit eachindividual installation. However, it is essential in all cases that theaerating valve I2 which has the ports I therein, be below thestandingfluid lever within'the well.

The usual practice in lifting fluid by pressure has been to introducepressure at the bottom of the well, and thereby raise the entire columnof fluid in the tubing the full length of the well. There is adisadvantage to lifting fluid in this manner, as an enormous pressure isrequired to accomplish the same, and particularly to kick off or startthe lifting of the fluid. As illustrated by the assembly shown in thedrawings, the fluid is raised relatively a small amount at a time andconsequently, the fluid can be raised with a much smaller pressure,which results in decreased operating costs.

In many instances, a well is operated only a limited period each day,and in such cases, it is desirable that the well kick off or flowimmediately. With all of the present flowing devices, quite some time isrequired to obtain production after starting building up a gas pressurein the casing, because during the time the well is inactive, the fluidin the casing and the tubing have risen to the standing level within thewell. This disadvantage is overcome by the invention shown in thedrawings.

It is again pointed out that any suitable packer 45 may be employed,although the type shown in the drawings is preferred. The fluid valve54,

aerating valve 12 and starting valves 19 are all subject to variations,and several modified forms of the aerating valve are illustrated in thedrawings. The depth at which the various elements of the assembly arelocated in the tubing string varies with each particular well in whichthe assembly is used, although it is preferable that the aerating valve12 be below the standing fluid level in the well. described as utilizinggas pressure, it is obvious that air or other fluid pressure could beemployed.

When the fluid comes out of the tubing it passes through the swagenipple 38, T 39 and into the pipe 40, which is connected to the pipes I4and I5. It will be noticed in Figure 1 that these pipes I4 and I5 areconnected to a manifold I8, which leads to the separator I2. In theseparator the liquid is separated from the fluid and is led off throughpipe I6 to stock tank I3. The gas outlet of the separator is connectedto regulator I9 by pipe II, in order that the regulator may hold acertain amount of back pressure on said outlet. The pipe I! has a T I8connected therein and pipe 22 connected to said T so as to lead acertain amount of gas from the separator to a scrubber 2|, from which itis discharged into a compressor 24 through pipe 25. Due to the regulatorI9 holding a back pressure on the pipes I1 and 22, the gas will bedelivered to the low compression cylinder 23 at the same pressure asthat held on the gas outlet II of the separator. The gas is thencompressed and delivered to the high compression cylinder 26 where it isadditionally compressed and then delivered to a manifold 21 through apipe 28. From this manifold the gas is returned through pipe 30 to thewell A and through pipe 3| to well B, where it connects to gas supplyline 86 at each well. The outlet side of the regulator I9 is connectedto a T 33 which in turn is connected to a similar regulator 32. A fieldline 34 is connected to the T 33 and may lead off to anotherinstallation, to storage facilities, or as desired. Thus, it will beseen that the regulator 32 will hold a certain back pressure on the line34. The outlet side of the regulator 32 may be connected to a suitablestandpipe, torch, or the like, if desired, so as to take care of anysurplus gas discharged through said regulator.

In Figure 18, another form of the aerating valve 12 is shown and thisform comprises an elongated coupling collar I04, having internally screwthreaded boxes at each end, so as to be connected into the tubing string36. An annular, externally screw threaded boss I05 is providedintermediate the ends of the collar I04 and a band or ring I00, having asnug engagement with the collar is threaded on the boss. An annular,external channel I01 is provided on the collar I04 immediately below thescrew threaded boss I05, and the ring I00 is provided with an annular,perforated section This perforated section is positioned so as to provdeadmittance of gas pressure from the casing through said section I08 andinto the channel I01. A plurality of upwardly inclined ports or ductsI09 connect the channel with the interior of the conpling collar I04.While it is preferable to use three of such ports I09, any numberdesired may be used. The operation of this form of the aerating valveand the results obtained are the same as the aerating valve 12.

In Figures 22 and 23, I have shown another f rm of the aerating valve,which is particularly Although the device has been adapted forintermittent flowing of the well. In wells where the production of oilis very small or slow, or where it is only desired to remove a certainquantity from the well each day, the intermittent form of aerating valveis used. An elongated, upper coupling collar and lower coupling collarIII are connected in the tubing by means of the usual internally screwthreaded boxes 0' and III. These two collars are connected together by ashort length of tubing H2, so as to space said collars at the desireddistance. The upper collar H0 is provided medially of its length with ahorizontally extending duct or passage i I3. A vertical, upwardlyextending duct or passage 4 is drilled in the collar I I0 and terminatesshort of the duct III, but is connected thereto by a short, axialpassage or port H5. The passage III forms a cylinder or housing for acylindrical valve H6 having a conical point or seat I". The cone of thevalve fits within the axial port H5, so as to close the same when thevalve is in its uppermost position. The valve is provided with adepending valve rod III, which is screw threaded on its lower end, so asto engage in an upset box H9 on a guide rod I. An elongated weight I20loosely mounted on the rod H8 rests on the upset box. The lower portionof the guide rod I2I slides within a vertically extending passage I22 inthe lower coupling member Ill. The weight I20 may be 01 any desirednumber of pounds, as the number of pounds help control the operation ofthe valve IIG.

In operating this form of the aerating valve, said valve is kicked oflas described for the other forms of aerating valves and the gas pressureentering the passages Ill, and H3 will draw the valve Ill; upwardly, sothat the conical point I" will enter the port H5 and close the same. Thegas pressure will hold the valve closed. As the fluid builds up in thetubing above the duct H3, the weight of the fluid exerts a pressure onthe valve H0 and when the fluid has risen suiflciently in the tubing 30to overcome the pressure of the gas on the valve, said fluid will opensaid valve. When this occurs, the gas pressure will enter the tubing andaerate the column of fluid and lift the same up and out oi the tubing.As soon as sumcient oil has been removed to reduce the weight on thevalve to a predetermined amount, the gas pressure will again close thevalve.

It will be seen in Figure 23 that when the valve opens it will only dropa short distance, as the upset box H0 will engage the upper face or thecoupling member I", and therefore the valve H0 will never drop down andout oi the passage III. It is pointed out that the weight I20 isvariable, as a heavier or lighter weight may be readily placed on thevalve rod H0. The heavier weight will make the valve open quicker so asto discharge the fluid more often and a lighter weight will require moreoil pressure to open the valve H6, so as to discharge less frequently.Thus, it will be seen that by increasing or decreasing the weight I20,the opening and closing of said valve will be controlled.

The packer 45 is usually placed approximately at the producing level ofthe well, because ordinarily the aerating valve 12 is connected in thetubing string 36 a. relative shoft distance above said packer. Theproducing level of a well is that level in the well where the well fluidmay be removed the easiest and most conveniently. There are threepressures present in each well which have to be considered in installingthe invention. These are: the necessary operating pressure, the greatestas it has to lift the well fluid up and out of the well; the bottom holepressure, the next as it will only lift the fluid to the normal standingwell fluid level of the well; and the pressure of the fluid, which is acombination oi. the operating pressure, the bottom hole pressure and theweight of the fluid after it has been aerated.

This application is fllled as a substitute for my abandoned application,Serial No. 79,641.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A well flowing apparatus including, a tubing for conducting fluids upthe well, a valve at the lower portion of the tubing controlling theadmission of fluids from the sands to said tubing, means for introducinga lifting fluid into the tubing above said valve and below the liquidlevel therein, a weighted tool movable throughout the length of thetubing above said valve for engaging and opening the valve, a cableextending vertically in said tubing and suspending said tool, and meanson the surface for running the cable and tool from the lower portion ofsaid tubing to the top thereof.

2. A well flowing apparatus including, a tubing for conducting fluidsfrom the well, a kick-off valve mounted in the tubing for admitting alifting fluid and being normally closed, a fluid inlet valve at thelower portion of the tubing below the kick-ofl valve and normallyclosed, and a tool mounted to be lowered in the tubing for positivelyengaging and opening the kick-oil valve and subsequently engaging andopening the inlet valve.

3. A well flowing apparatus including, a tubing for conducting fluidsfrom the well, a kick-oi! valve mounted in the tubing for admitting alifting fluid and being normally closed, a fluid inlet valve at thelower portion of the tubing below the kick-oil valve and normallyclosed, a tool mounted to be lowered in the tubing for positivelyengaging and opening the kick-oil valve and subsequently engaging andopening the inlet valve, and an aerating valve mounted in the tubingbetween the kick-oil valve and the inlet valve.

4. A well flowing apparatus including, a tubing for conducting fluidsfrom the well, a plurality of kick-ofl valves normally closed anddisposed in the tubing at successive elevations below the level of thecolumn of fluid standing in said tubing and normally closed, an aeratingvalve mounted in the tubing below the kick-oil valve and normally open,a fluid inlet valve connected in the tubing below the aerating valve andnormally closed, and a tool mounted to be lowcred through the tubing forsuccessively engaging the kick-oil valves and positively opening each ofthe same and subsequently engaging and opening the fluid inlet valve.

5. A well flowing apparatus including, a tubing for conducting fluidsfrom the well, a plurality of kick-0E valves normally closed anddisposed in the tubing at successive elevations below the level of thecolumn of fluid standing in said tubing and normally closed, an aeratingvalve mounted in the tubing below the kick-oil? valve and normally open,a fluid inlet valve connected in the tubing below the aerating valve andnormally closed, a tool mounted to be lowered through the tubing forsuccessively engaging the kick-off valves and positively opening each ofthe same and subsequently eng ing and opening the fluid inlet valve, anda packer mounted between the tubing and casing for packing off the spaceabove said packer to confine the production fluids therebelow and toprovide a lifting fluid reservoir thereabove. v

6. A well flowing apparatus including, a tubing for conducting fluidsfrom the well, a kick-off valve mounted in the tubing for admitting alifting fluid and being normally closed, a fluid inlet valve at thelower portion of the tubing below the kick-off valve and normallyclosed, a tool mounted to be lowered in the tubing for positivelyengaging and opening the kick-off valve and subsequently engaging andopening the inlet valve, means for separating the lifting fluid from thefluids discharged from the tubing, means for repressuring the saidlifting fluid, and means for delivering said repressured separated fluidto the kick-off valve and the aerating valve.

7. A well flowing apparatus including, a tubing for conducting fluids upthe well, a kick-off valve mounted in the tubing and having an elementprojecting into the bore of said tubing, a fluid inlet valve at thebottom of the tubing for admitting fluid from its source of production,a tool arranged to travel down the well and having means for engagingthe valve element to positively open the same when passing therethroughand for engaging the inlet valve and opening the same when loweredthereto, and a cable attached to said tool for rapidly running the sameup and down the well.

8. A well flowing apparatus including, a tubing in the well forconducting fluids from the well, means for admitting a lifting fluid tothe tubing from the well, means for admitting liquid from the sands tothe tubing, and a movable actuating device suspended in the tubing andmovable from the surface for sequentially operating said fluid admittingmeans and said liquid admitting means.

9. A well flowing assembly including, a well tubing within the wellbore, a packer for packing off the tubing from said well to prevent flowthrough said well, means below the standing fluid level in the tubingfor controlling the flow of well fluid through said tubing, a sleevehaving radial ports therein connected in the tubing below the standingfluid level therein and above the packer, means for admitting fluidunder pressure into said well and into said tubing through the ports ofsaid sleeve, whereby said pressure fluid lifts the well fluid thereabovein said tubing to the surface, and means controlled from the surface ofthe well for operating the well fluid control means and pressure fluidadmitting means.

10. A well flowing assembly includlng, a well tubing within the wellbore, a series of flow valves normally closed mounted in the tubing atsuccessive elevations below the level of the column of fluid standing insaid tubin an aerating valve mounted in said tubing below the flowvalves and normally open, a fluid inlet valve connected in said tubingbelow the aerating 'alve and normally closed, a tool mounted to belowered through said tubing for successively engaging the flow valvesand positively opening each of the same and subsequently engaging andopening the fluid inlet valve, and a wire line connected to the tool forrapidly raising and lowering the same in said tubing.

11. A well flowing assembly including, a well tubing within the wellbore, a plurality of valves having ports therein connected in saidtubing below the standing fluid level therein, an aerating valveconnected in said tubing below the valves,

means for admitting fluid under pressure into said well above thestanding well fluid level, and means controlled from the surface of thewell for opening any one of the ports of said valves as desired and theremaining ports being closed, whereby said pressure fluid forces thewell fluid from the standing level down in said well through the openedport of said valve and into said tubing and then said pressure fluidlifts said well fluid in said tubing above said opened valve to thesurface, said pressure fluid forcing said well fluid in said wellthrough the aerating valve after the level thereof has been loweredsufficiently by the successive opening of the ports of said valves.

12. A well flowing assembly including, a well tubing within the wellbore, a plurality of valves having ports therein connected in saidtubing below the standing fluid level therein, an aerating valveconnected in said tubing below the valves, means for admitting fluidunder pressure into said well above the standing well fluid level, meanscontrolled from the surface of the well for opening any of the ports ofsaid valves as desired, whereby said pressure fluid forces the wellfluid from the standing level down in said well through the opened portof said valve and into said tubing and then said pressure fluid liftssaid well fluid in said tubing above said opened valve to the surface,said pressure fluid forcing said well fluid in said well through theaerating valve after the level thereof has been lowered sufficiently bythe successive opening of the ports of said valves, and a well fluidcpntrol valve connected in said tubing below the aerating valve andnormally closed, said control valve adapted to be opened by said surfacecontrolled opening means after said pressure fluid is flowing throughsaid aerating valve.

13. A well flowing assembly including, a well tubing within the wellbore, a plurality of valves L 4 having ports therein connected in saidtubing below the standing fluid level therein, an aerating valveconnected in said tubing below the valves, means for admitting fluidunder pressure into said well above the standing well fluid level, meanscontrolled from the surface of the well for opening any of the ports ofsaid valves as desired, whereby said pressure fluid forces the wellfluid from the standing level down in said well through the opened portof said valve and into said tubing and then said pressure fluid liftssaid well fluid in said tubing above said opened valve to the surface,said pressure fluid forcing said well fluid in said well through theaerating valve after the level thereof has been lowered sufficiently bythe successive opening of the ports of said valves, a well fluid controlvalve connected in said tubing below the aerating valve and normallyclosed, said control valve adapted to be opened by said surfacecontrolled opening means after said pressure fluid is flowing throughsaid aerating valve, and a packer connected in said tubing below saidaerating valve to pack off said tubing from said casing, whereby saidwell fluid will only flow through said tubing and the downward travel ofsaid pressure fluid is limited.

14. A well flowing assembly including, a well tubing within the wellbore, a plurality of valves having ports therein connected in saidtubing below the standing fluid level therein, means for admitting fluidunder pressure into said well above the standing well fluid level, andmeans controlled from the surface of the well for opening any one of theports of said valves as desired and the remaining ports being closed,whereby said pressure fluid forces the well fluid from the standinglevel down in said well through the opened port of said valve and intosaid tubing and then said pressure fluid lifts said well fluid in saidtubing above said opened valve to the surface.

15. A well flowing assembly including, a tubing arranged to be mountedin the bore of the well, a single valve mounted in said tubing andhaving an actuating member exposed for operation, a fluid admittingvalve mounted in said tubing and having an actuating element exposed foroperation, and means arranged to be lowered into the well and having amember thereon arranged to engage and operate said actuating element toopen said single valve and subsequently to operate said actuatingelement to open said fluid admitting valve.

16. A well flowing assembly including, a well tubing within a well bore,a flow valve normally closed mounted in the tubing below the level ofthe column of fluid standing in said tubing, an aerating valve mountedin said tubing below the flow valve and normally open, a fluid inletvalve connected in said tubing below the aerating valve and normallyclosed, a device mounted to be lowered in said well for successivelyengaging the flow valve and positively opening the same and subsequentlyengaging and opening the fluid inlet valve, and a wire line connected tothe device for rapidly raising and lowering the same in said well.

17. A well flowing assembly including, a well tubing within a well bore,a series of flow valves normally closed mounted in the tubing atsuccessive elevations below the level of column 01 fluid standing insaid tubing, a fluid inlet valve connected in said tubing below the flowvalves and normally closed, a device mounted to be lowered in said wellfor successively engaging the flow valves and positively opening each ofthe same and subsequently engaging and opening the fluid sure fluidinlet valves inlet valve, and a wire line connected to the device forrapidly raising and lowering the same in said well.

18. A well flowing assembly including, a well tubing within the wellbore, a series 01' flow valves normally closed mounted in the tubing atsuccessive elevations below the level of the column 01 fluid standing insaid tubing, a device mounted to be lowered in the well bore forsuccessively engaging the flow valves and positively opening each of thesame, and a wire line connected to the device for rapidly raising andlowering the same in said well.

19. A well flowing assembly including, a tubing in a well having acolumn of liquid standing in the well, a plurality of means connected inthe tubing for admitting a lifting fluid to the column of liquid in saidtubing at successively lower elevations to start the flowing of saidcolumn of liquid, and means for positively and selectively engaging andopening said lifting fluid admitting means at successively lowerelevation to admit lifting fluid to the tubing and for positively movingout of engagement to release said means to permit the lifting fluid toclose the particular admitting means which has been opened.

20. The combination with a well tubing for flowing a well, of aplurality of normally closed presconnected in said tubing at spacedelevations and arranged to be closed by the pressure fluid, a flexiblemeans suspended in the tubing and controllable from the top of the well,and means on said first mentioned means arranged to successively andpositively engage and open each valve when said flexible means is movedvertically in said tubing and to positively move out of engagement torelease said valve when said means is moved out of actuating position,whereby the pressure fluid may close said valve.

JEDDY D. NIXON.

DISCLAIMER Patent dated October 4, 1938. Disclaimer filed December 10,1938, patent-ea and the assignee of one-half interest, Wilson Supplyenter this disclaimer to the last four words in the last line Hereby andthe aerating valve.

[Ofiicml Gazette January 10, 1989.]

Company. of claim 6, to

fluid forces the well fluid from the standing level down in said wellthrough the opened port of said valve and into said tubing and then saidpressure fluid lifts said well fluid in said tubing above said openedvalve to the surface.

15. A well flowing assembly including, a tubing arranged to be mountedin the bore of the well, a single valve mounted in said tubing andhaving an actuating member exposed for operation, a fluid admittingvalve mounted in said tubing and having an actuating element exposed foroperation, and means arranged to be lowered into the well and having amember thereon arranged to engage and operate said actuating element toopen said single valve and subsequently to operate said actuatingelement to open said fluid admitting valve.

16. A well flowing assembly including, a well tubing within a well bore,a flow valve normally closed mounted in the tubing below the level ofthe column of fluid standing in said tubing, an aerating valve mountedin said tubing below the flow valve and normally open, a fluid inletvalve connected in said tubing below the aerating valve and normallyclosed, a device mounted to be lowered in said well for successivelyengaging the flow valve and positively opening the same and subsequentlyengaging and opening the fluid inlet valve, and a wire line connected tothe device for rapidly raising and lowering the same in said well.

17. A well flowing assembly including, a well tubing within a well bore,a series of flow valves normally closed mounted in the tubing atsuccessive elevations below the level of column 01 fluid standing insaid tubing, a fluid inlet valve connected in said tubing below the flowvalves and normally closed, a device mounted to be lowered in said wellfor successively engaging the flow valves and positively opening each ofthe same and subsequently engaging and opening the fluid sure fluidinlet valves inlet valve, and a wire line connected to the device forrapidly raising and lowering the same in said well.

18. A well flowing assembly including, a well tubing within the wellbore, a series 01' flow valves normally closed mounted in the tubing atsuccessive elevations below the level of the column 01 fluid standing insaid tubing, a device mounted to be lowered in the well bore forsuccessively engaging the flow valves and positively opening each of thesame, and a wire line connected to the device for rapidly raising andlowering the same in said well.

19. A well flowing assembly including, a tubing in a well having acolumn of liquid standing in the well, a plurality of means connected inthe tubing for admitting a lifting fluid to the column of liquid in saidtubing at successively lower elevations to start the flowing of saidcolumn of liquid, and means for positively and selectively engaging andopening said lifting fluid admitting means at successively lowerelevation to admit lifting fluid to the tubing and for positively movingout of engagement to release said means to permit the lifting fluid toclose the particular admitting means which has been opened.

20. The combination with a well tubing for flowing a well, of aplurality of normally closed presconnected in said tubing at spacedelevations and arranged to be closed by the pressure fluid, a flexiblemeans suspended in the tubing and controllable from the top of the well,and means on said first mentioned means arranged to successively andpositively engage and open each valve when said flexible means is movedvertically in said tubing and to positively move out of engagement torelease said valve when said means is moved out of actuating position,whereby the pressure fluid may close said valve.

JEDDY D. NIXON.

DISCLAIMER Patent dated October 4, 1938. Disclaimer filed December 10,1938, patent-ea and the assignee of one-half interest, Wilson Supplyenter this disclaimer to the last four words in the last line Hereby andthe aerating valve.

[Ofiicml Gazette January 10, 1989.]

Company. of claim 6, to

